'˜Time for White Rose devolution'

NORTHERN POWERHOUSE minister Andrew Percy has been challenged to enter fresh talks to deliver 'White Rose devolution' that could unleash Yorkshire's potential.
Andrew PercyAndrew Percy
Andrew Percy

West Yorkshire council leaders say they are ready to consider a Yorkshire-wide or Leeds City Region devolution deal and are urging Mr Percy to put aside “narrow small ideas of political advantage” and discuss all the options available.

They also rejected the recent suggestion from Mr Percy that the Yorkshire-wide deal was not legally possible, arguing “there are no insurmountable legal obstacles in the way”.

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The challenge was issued in an article by West Yorkshire Combined Authority chairman Peter Box for local government magazine Municipal Journal and represents the most enthusiastic endorsement yet from West Yorkshire for the Yorkshire-wide devolution idea.

West Yorkshire council leaders have previously made clear their preference is for a devolution deal to give new powers and money to the area known as the Leeds City Region.

In the absence of progress, they recently declared they were ready to explore the emerging idea of a single devolution deal for the whole of Yorkshire.

Coun Box wrote: “Yorkshire represents one third of all Northern Powerhouse output and an economy bigger than nine EU countries and yet we could be so much more.

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“A Yorkshire ‘Premium’ of more powers and more funds to spend locally could be the result allowing even better, faster and more profound change for the better here but also to the benefit of the whole North and the whole country.”

“Which is why, today it is not just ourselves, but business, universities, the public and constituents across the great county of Yorkshire from all political hues that are calling on the Government to come to the table constructively, putting aside narrow small ideas of political advantage.

“What we want is a deal or deals that meet the ambitions, the drive, and the opportunity of the whole of Yorkshire - time will tell if that’s what the Government want as well.”

But Coun Box insisted any Yorkshire-wide deal should have a “city region focus”.

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The Yorkshire devolution proposal suggests having an elected mayor for the whole region overseeing the work of three combined authorities.

Combined authorities bring councils together to work on areas such as transport and skills.

Yorkshire already has two covering West and South Yorkshire and the devolution proposal would involve creating a third for the Humber and perhaps North Yorkshire.

Mr Percy has argued the structure is not allowed under the law.

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Coun Box added: “Devolution means devolution and I want to see a White Rose devolution, ideally based around the Leeds City Region but possibly across the whole of Yorkshire to ensure we can play our full role at the economic and geographical heart of the Northern Powerhouse.”

SOUTH YORKSHIRE is so far the only part of the region to secure a devolution deal.

However, the Sheffield City Region deal - which should have seen a new mayor elected in May - has been postponed following a legal ruling and tensions among local councils.

Efforts to secure deals for other parts of the region have been scuppered by the failure to secure political agreement among council leaders, MPs and ministers.

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The Yorkshire devolution proposal emerged at the start of the year and represents the latest attempt to end the deadlock.

Devolution deals, and elections for mayors, are going ahead in many other parts of the country in May.

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